Ejiro Otarigho, a 46-year-old driver who escaped with a blazing fuel tanker from a Delta state hamlet, has stated that he wants another tanker rather than national honor.
According to InsightnaijaTV, Otarigho was praised and welcomed after driving his tanker to a river bank when it caught fire in a residential area.
President Muhammadu Buhari was also urged to bestow a “befitting national honour” on Otarigho for his “extraordinary act of bravery, courage, and skill that prevented the loss of human lives and property on a massive scale,” according to the upper legislative house.
In an interview with The Punch, Otarigho said that he had been driving the tanker for 12 years and that the Delta state government had given him a commendation for driving the vehicle to a position where there would be no calamity.
He did say, though, that he would rather have his tanker replaced than get a national honor.
“I have received calls from them (Delta state government) but I am not interested in any national honour of any sort right now.
“I know God has brought me to a good place where my story is now being told. All I want is a replacement for my burnt tanker so I can go back to my job.
“I have just been at home and truck driving was the only way I fed. It has not been easy for me since I lost my tanker,” he said.
Asked if he would like to get a new job and abandon the dangerous business of tanker driving, he said, “Of course, I will. It is a risky job.
“Imagine if I had died that day, nothing would have been said of me. If the government has something better for me, I will do it without looking back. All I want is to be able to take care of myself and my family legitimately.”
